Automatic proofer



IMarch 2 1926. 1,575,282

v l s. SCHIFF N AUTOMATIC rRooFER Filed Jan. 21, 1921 e sheath-sheet4 aj March 2,1926. 1,575,282 I s. schnFF4 AUTOMATIC PROOFER Filed Jan. 2l, 1921 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 2 1926. 1,575,282

I S. SCHIFF AUTOMATI C PROOFER Filed Jan. 2l, 1921 6 Sheets-Sheet `4 March 2 1926.

s. SCHIFF AUTOMATIC PROOFER Filed aan.` 21. 1921 I e sheds-sheete gru/nemici,

www

Patented Mar. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES SIGMIUND SCHIFF, 0F CINCINNATI, OHIO.

AUTOMATIC PROOFER.

Application led January 21, 1921. Serial No. 439,015.

To all lw71 om t may concern Be it known that I, SIGMUND Somrr, a citizen of the United States ofAmcri'ca, and resident of Cincinnati, in the county of Ham- .ilton and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in an Automatic Proofer, of which the fcllowing is a specification.

An object of my invention is to provide an elicient and compact tray proofer.

Another object is to provide a device wherein there can be no possible congestion whereby several lumps of dough Will be placed in such relation'that they can unite and form large masses of dough.

Another object is to provide a proofer in which no artificial heat is necessary, the proofer being adapted to conserve the heat generated by the fermentation Within the dough which is sufficient to provide the necessary heat to assure the proper temperature for theoperation thereof.

` of Fig. 5.

Another object is to provide a prooferl thatwill require a relatively small space in proportion to its'capacit'y for Work.

Another object is to provide a device in the class referred to in which the possibility of breaking the skin of the individual lumps of dough will be reduced to a minimum.

Another object is to provide a device that may be readily moved about, and `\in which ready access is had to all parts of the device at all times.

These and other objects are attained' by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. l is afront elevation of a device' embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig.

Fig. 3 is asectional view on line 8--3 of Fig. 2. f

Fig. 4; is an enlarged fragmental view on V' line 4 -4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 6. f l

Fig. 6 1s a sectlonal view` on llne 6 6 Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmental View of part of. the intake mechanism forming a detail of my invention.

' Fig. 8 is an enlarged diagrammatical view of part of the discharge mechanism forming adetail of my invention.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectionahvew of part of the discharge -mechanism forming forming a detail of my invention.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a tray guide forming a detail of my invention.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged perspective of a tray forming adetail of my invention.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged sectionalview taken on a transverse line thru Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged sectional view on line 15-15 of Fig. 3. y

Fig. 16 is an enlarged perspective of part of the loading device.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged sectional view on line 17-17 of Fig. 1.

My invention comprises a proving lcase A Within which are disposed a series of trays that are supported between endless chains and are moved thru such case, carrying the dough during the proving period. i The loading device B extends partly Within and Without the easing A, and is adapted to deposit individual lumps F of dough in individual compartments of the trays within the casing. The discharge device D extends partly within and partly Without the casing, and is adapted to empty the trays and to carry the individual lumps of dough out of the casing A, and to discharge the individual lumps of dough separately and singly into anyv suitable device thatis to then Work upon the dough, which ordinarily7 is the moulder.

The proofer casing A is preferably of a rectangular construction and has side frames A and A2. The frames are formed primarily of angle irons and channel irons i and are secured upon one another by means f of angle and channel irons A3 extending be tween the frames. The spaces between the angle irons and channel irons are enclosed by any suitable material such as wood, so as to provide the enclosed casing A4. A series of doors a are mounted upon the sides and ends of the chamber. These doors have glass panels a mounted in them. The chamber formed interiorly of the casing comprises a proofing chamber A4. The casing is preferably made with a central opening in its bottom, and is supported upon. casters or rollers a2- Whereby the device may be readily moved from place to place. Suitable driving means, see Figs. 2 and 3, such as a mot-or (L3 and speed change. mechanisms such as (L4 may be mounted on the top (L5 of the case, or any other. means of power may be employed to impart rotatory motion to the transverse shaft (L mounted upon the top of the casing. I have illustrated a motor and change speed device mounted on-the casing adapted to impart motion to the shaft (L6 by means of the chain (L7 engaging the sprocket wheel (1."0 mounted on shaft (L0. The shaft a0 is adapted to drive by means of bevel gears (L02, the vertical shafts (Lt3 and (L0, see Fig. 3, mounted upon the sides of the casing and transmitting power to a discharge device D and the loading device B respectively. The shaft (L0 drives the endless chains (L10 which in turn drive the endless chains (L10 between which the trays C are disposed. The chains (L10 are part ofthe driving mechanisms (L11. lhe driving mechanisms (L11 comprise the sprocket wheels (L12 mounted upon shaft (L0, the parallel horizontal shafts (L13 and (L10, the sprocket wheels (L14 and (L10 mounted on shaft (L13, the sprocket wheel '(110 mounted on shaft (L10, an endless chain (L10 extending about sprocket wheels (L12 and (L14, and an endless chain (L17 extending about sprocket wheels (L15 and (L18. Mountedupon shafts (1.13 and (L10 are gears (L20 and (L21 respectively, engaging gears (L22 and (L23 respectively mounted upon stud shafts (L2Jl and (L25 respectively. Mounted upon the interior ends of the shafts (L24 and (L25 are the sprocket wheels (L20 and (L27 respectively, the sprocket wheels (L20 and (L27 engaging and driving the chains (L10. The chains (L10 pass around a series of sprocket wheels (1(2 disposed interior-ly to the casing, and mounted. upon individua-l stud shafts (L20 mounted upon the casing A. This construction eliminates the transverse shafts'that would otherwise extend thru the casing and require considerable 'enlargement of the sprocket wheels to permit free movement of the trays about such transverse shafts. The sprocket wheels are mounted upon the sides of the casing in staggered relation and the wheelson one side of the casing being d irectly opposed to those on the opposite side of the casing. A series of chain supports (L30 extend between the sprocket wheels and support the chains in a horizontal plane as they pass from one sprocket (wheel to the,

sprocket wheel next above. These chain supports also support the trays, because the trays are mounted between the chains a1 one of which is disposed upon each side of the casing. The loading and discharge devices are disposed near the forward .end of the casing and at which end of the casing the endless chains (L10 carrying the trays, are

l'brought from the top of the casing. to the bottom thereof, by the chains moving vertically downward from the top to the bottom of the proofing chamber. As the trays begin their downward movement at the forward end of the casing they are immediately below` the fiour boxa01 mounted on the top of the cascfthe flour box having a sieve iu its bottom. The `box is actuated in such manner that flour contained within the box is distributed over the interior of the tray C at such time. This is accomplished by means of a. cam (L02 (see Fig. 11) mounted upon stud shaft (L33 upon which the sprocket wheel (L34 is mounted, A rod (L05 reciprocally mounted upon the casing has its lower end in engagement with the cam (L02, and as the cam is-revolved the rod @00 is moved up ward. The upper end of the rod engages the box (L31.y Box (L31 is hingedly mounted ,upon the top (L5 by means of hinges (L51 and when the rod (L05 reaches the edge of tooth (L30 on the periphery of the cam (L32, the rod (L30. and the box (L01 fall. When the rod (L05 then engages the cam a, the impact causes some of the Hour in the box (L01 to pass thru the sieve and fall into the tray C immedi.- ately below the sieve. The cam actuates the rod in such wise that flour will be sprinkled slightly below the axis of the. stud shaft,

supporting the sprocket wheel (L08, and rod (L30 preferably extends somewhat lower than the rod (L40. The purpose of the guide is to prevent lateral movement of the trays while being loaded and will be more fully explained hereafter.

The loading mechanism B comprises an endless belt b mounted upon the rollers b and b2. The sprocket wheels b3, b1 and 525 are mounted upon the shaft b5, supported by brackets 610 mounted on the casing and supporting the roller b. The roller b is disposed between the sprocket wheelsb3 and b4. In like manner the sprocket wheels be and b2 (not shown) are mounted upon the shaft bs mounted on the support b13 and b and b2 and engages the under surface of.

the upper section of the belt b and theendlcsschams b0 and. 610. Suitable struts b1* llU ' support the outermost end ofthe support 615. The support 613 has a'yoke 612 upon its lower and outermost end, the yoke supporting the shaft 62.. The support 613 is adjustable longitudinally between the rollers 6 and 62 by means of a threaded block 612 mounted upon the upper end of the support and thru which an adjustable screw 618 extends. The screw 618 abuts the brackets 615. 4 By means of the described elements it is possible to increase or decrease the tension of the belt 6 and the chains 61J and 610. The shaft .65is driven from shaft 62 by chain 621 engaging sprocket wheels 622 and 625. Immediately below the brackets 615, are the brackets 615 (see Fig. 46) supporting the shaft 62 upon which a distributor drum 621 is mounted. The sprocket wheels 622 and 623 are mounted upon the shaft 62. The drum 621 has pockets 625 that pass beneath the belt 6 and cups 612. A vertical guide plate 628 is disposed within the casing immediately adjacent the drum 621. An

endless chain 629 extends about the sprocket wheel 623 and about sprocketwheel 65 (see Fig. 5) mounted upon the shaft 621 supported by the brackets 652 and 653 mounted upon the frame A below the brackets 61". The shaft 631 has mounted on it the bevel gear 65 engaging bevel gear 651 mounted on vertical shaft a5. An endless chain 634 extends transversely of the casing, and is mounted en 'and extends around the sprocket wheel 655 mounted upon the shaft 6111 adjacent the sprocket Wheel 65, and about the sprocket wheel 636 mounted upon the shaft 632 supported by the brackets 6" and 6511 mounted upon the opposite frame of the casing. Shafts 631 and 632 are parallel and are mounted on opposite sides of the casing. The chain support 652 (see Fig. 16) supports the chain 651-as it passes from the sprocket wheel 635 to sprocket wheel 635 and `chain support 6G3 supports the same chain as it passes-from sprocket wheel 625 to sprocket wheel 635. The chain 621 comprises a series of links 660 and a series of block links 621, and the block links have pivotally attached to them the carriers 641. rlhe bottoms of these carriers are at their rear ends secured upon the chain 6V34 by the hinges 622. l The forward endsof the carriers are in their upright positions, normally held up or supported by a reciproeating bar 651 that is adapted tobe vertically reciprocated.-

fixed bar ,612 lis Vmounted upon the brackets 643 and 615 in such manner and position that the carriers will be held in a relatively fixed position in 'relation to the chain 621 as they move along their course when in other than an upright or normal positionl immediately above the'bars 651 and 652. The disk 651 holds the carriers upon the lixed bar 612 as the chain 651 moves around the" sprocket bracket 626 supporting the bar 611, and` mounted upon the transverse shaft 622 mounted on supports 612 mounted on opposite sides of'the proofer casing. A second transverse shaft 645 is mounted pivotally on the supports 612, parallel to shaft 612. A lever arm 652 is mounted upon the shaft 61". A link '651 is pivotally attached to the arm 652 and the bracket 645. A roller 653 is mounted upon the roller arm 651 mounted on the shaft 61 and engages the cam 655 mounted upon one of the shafts c25 adjacent the gear a25thereon. A notch 65G is formed in the periphery of the cam 655, and the entry ofthe roller 653 into this notch causes the bar 651 to be lowered and when the roller is moved out of the notch the bar 621 is raised. The support rod '652 extends horizontally in alignment with the rod 621 and is disposed below the drum 621. The disk 655 carries the carriers to the support rod 652 and is adapted to support the carriers as they move toward the bar 611 after leaving the bar 642. The disc 658 mounted upon the shaft- 622 is adapted to support the carriers as they leave the bar 611 and move toward the bar 612. The disc 655 has an added function in that after the bar i611 has lowered the carriers, the .tilted carrier closest to the disc 65S is elevated to its normal or horizontal position by means they approach the sprocket wheel 55. The

upper-most Y trays are preferably divided into a series of I compartments c and the individual chutes register with these compartments (i. As the trays approach the lower end of the chutes 645 they are supported by the guide ai,

which will be more fully explained here` after.

The mechanisms are so timed that a tray of its engagement-with the disc 652, thereby -110 between which are secured the cross bars c2.y

A series of lugs 03, c1, c1", and 011, extend outwardly beyond the end member c. There are three cross members c2, one at each side of the top of the trays and one at the bottom of the tray. The ends of the cross members are seated in the lugs c3, 01 and 011, consequently the lugs 01 and (,110 are disposed at opposite sides of the top of the end members and lug 011 at the bottom of the end member. rlhe support lug c*i is formed mid-way between the two uppermost lugs c3, 01 and has a central bore 012 into which extend the pins l(1411 projecting from the chains ((1'1. The lug ("1 and the lowermost lug 011 are normally in vertical alignment. Theplugs 03, c4 and ('10 are normally in horizontal alignment. T he bottom c5 of the tray is preferably made of canvas and has the loops c6 formed along its side edges thru which loops the cross bars c1 extend. A series of partitions c7 divide the tray into a series of compartments c. These partitions are preferably wedge shaped, being narrower at their top` and wider' at their bottom. The upper and outer ends ofthe partitions engage below the uppermost cross bars c2, and span the canvas along their lower and rounded edge 0S. Suitable means such as tacks `01 are employed to secure the partitions in place and cooperate with the tension due to the seating of the partitions as described, in positioning the partitions at determined places thiuout the length of the tray. As the trays C approach the sprocket wheel (L3B the lugs c* and 011 enter between the arms (L31 and (L40 of thel tray guide @(31, whereby any lateral pivotal movement of the trays upon the pins (L11 is prevented, wherefore when the dough passing thru the chutes b4 falls into the compartments 0 of the tray, the tray cannot swing upon thepins (L41. After the dough has been deposited inthe compartments of the tray,l the tray moves about the sprocket wheel L38 and at this stage reaches its lowest level. The chains (L10, after leaving sprocket wheels 0L38 engage und ride upon the lowermost chain supports (Wand move toward the rear of easing A, carrying the tray. The tray is moved backward and for-ward in successive horizontal planes thru the casing A by means of the chains (L10 passing over the series of sprocket wheels and being supported by the series of support members a, as it is moved from one sprocket wheel to the next. lVhen the tray has reached the uppermost supporting member ,aso it moves forward toward, the

charge mechanism D. lSee Figs. 8,' 9 and 10.- 'In order to assure the tray assuming a normal position when it reaches the discharge mechanism, a leveling bar (L42 is mounted on the side of thecasing'immediately above the uppermost section of the chain a1". This bar extends toward the center of the casing to such extent that it will project over the lugs on the trays and assures the lugs 03, c4 and 01 being in horizontal alignment as the tray moves over the uppermost support (L30. Y

The discharge device D embraces a cam d adapted to tilt and invert the tray C so that the dough will pass from the tray to a belt that carries the dough out of the easing. The cam d has an inclined and outwardly projecting tilting lug d that is engaged by the lowermost lug c of the tray as the traymoves forward in the casing. As the tray moves forward, the lug o is raised, whereupon the lug c3 is lowered and the lug c elevated. On the forward end of the cam is formed an outwardly projecting inverting lug d that is curved upward and toward the front of the casing. This lug (1lz is engaged by the lug c3. Immediately upon engagement of the lng cs and Vthe inverting lug (Z', the lug o upon the bottom of the tray reaches the upper vend of the tilting lugd, whereby the movement of the tray is controlled by the contact of the lug c upon the inverting lug (f and by the movement of the chain a. As the chain (L1o moves forward, the lug cv3 remains practically stationary in relation to the inverting lug d2, and therefore the forward movement of the chain tending to turn the tray about the` tray is inverted it discharges the indi-rh vldual lumps of dough in the several tray compartments into a holder D having a series of individual discharge compartments These discharge compartments are formed ad'aeent'one another and over the discharge!" elt (l. The rear wall of `the holder D is inclined upwardly and`at its upper end it is mounted upon a sleeve d pivotally mounted upon a transverse shaft (Z6. The sleeve (Z5 has link (Z1 extending therefrom and pivotally attached to the link is a reciprocating roller arm d, one end of which is movably supported by a slotted bracket d mounted upon the casing A in any suitable manner. A pin d extending from arm d extends into the slot in bracket d and has mounted upon it a roller d that engages the walls of the slot in arm al". A roller d is mounted on the roller arm (Z8 and this roller engages cam d mounted upon the shaft d. The cam d has a notch Z1 formed in its outer edge, which edge is engaged by they roller d. The shaft d is driven by means of a gear d engaging the gear d mounted on the shaft alsl having mounted on it the bevel gear d which engages the gear d mounted on the vertical shaft as. In the normal or elevated position of the holder the dough discharged into the discharge compartments is retained in such compartments. The discharge ofthe dough from the tray compartments is effected in a new and novel manner. As the tray C moves beyond the second position of the tray, as shown in Fig. 8, the lumps of dough move along the bottom of the tray compartments and are moved on to the sleeve d5. At the time that the dough is moved onto the sleeve d5, the holder, and therefore the discharge compartments, are lowered and are in their discharging positions. As the sleeve J turns because of the holder d being raised by the action of the cam d and roller d, the cross bar 02 extending between the lugs c on the tray C is moved forward and pushes the lumps of dough oil of the sleeve d into the discharge compartments. 'lhe clearance between the cross b ar c and the sleeve d must be such that this action results. If too little clearance is given, the dough is pinched by the relative extends about the sleeve d5.

movements of the tray and lsleeve and the skin of the lump is broken and some of the dough will stick to the canvas on the sleeve. If too much clearance is allowed, the dough will be moved backward below the cross bar 1f as the sleeve is rotated to raise vthe discharge compartments. l/Vhen the roller d registers with the notch d in the cam ci, the weight of the dough and the weight of the holder causes the roller to enter the notch d" whereby'the sleeve d shown in Fig. 8 will move in a counter-clock-wise direction whereupon by the tilting of the holder the dough is discharged upon the belt cl. To avoid premature discharge of the dough from the compartments ci, an inclined plate d is mounted adjacent the forward end or mouth of the compartments, the lower edge of the plate terminating immediately adjacent the bottom of the mouth of the compartments'cl. A suitable covering, preferably canvas d, is placed over the inner surface of the compartments and The movement of the trays, the holder D and the discharge belt Z bear such relation that thev col'nparlmentsv will be emptied every time that a tray has discharged its dough into the compartments, and so that all the dough that has been discharged upon the belt di has been carried from below the compartments by the time the compartments are again discharged; The belt d* is mUred by means of rollers d and d mounted upon shafts d" and d respectively, supported between the brackets d mounted on casing A. The shaft d has mounted upon it a beveled gear d" which engages a beveled gear d mounted upon the vertical 'shaft a8. A shaft ci supported by brackets d and having a gear wheel d mounted thereon engaging the beveled gear d mounted on vertical shaft a is mounted on the casing subjacent to the shaft d". A roller d" is mounted on the shaft d and about such roller extends an endless separator or 'spacer belt d which also extends about the roller el mounted on the shaft d and held in position by means of the bracket d3 mounted on the support ef" having the block dA mounted thereon and thru which block extends the adjustable .screw d adapted to engage the bracket d supporting the shaft d, whereby the spacer belt d" may be tensioned. The support d is held in position and adjusted at various angles to the casing A, by means of a yoke el which is pivotally attached to the'support d and has extending therefrom the rod d the upper end of which is screw threaded and has mounted upon it an adjustable nut al". The threaded end of the rod d extends thru a slotted bracket d mounted on the casing A and the nut d serves as an abutment engaging the bracket d and determining the position of the support d and consequently that of the belt d. The discharge belt d* over-hangs the spacer belt cl". The belt d is moved faster than is the belt d. These comparative speeds are determined by the comparative sizes of the beveled gears d and 24.

The operation of my device is as follows:

The lumps of 4dough F coming from the baller, a mechanism used to form the dough into spherical masses, is deposited upon the belt b, the cups Z212 receiving the individual balls of dough and preventing these balls of dough being fed to the prover in too close a relation. The balling devices E ordinarily have a discharge chute or nozzle E and the belt b is adjusted in such position below this discharge nozzle i of the balling device that there is a very small clearance between the top of cups b and the end of the discharge nozzle onthe baller as the cups are moved past `such dis-y charge nozzle. The cup is made of such height that it can pick u the largest lump of dough on the belt an yet small enough that the space lift between beit b2 and nozzle E will prevent a lump .of dough passing downward between the nozzle and the belt. The belt b is inclined. VVhenthe lump of dough falls from the discharge nozzle -E of the baller, thelump of dough cannot roll down the inclined belt b because ofthe discharge nozzle on the baller, and the lump of dough cannot travel up the belt b because of the belts inclination. When a cup 612 comes along, the cup carries the lump of"A dough from the mouth of the baller. If it should happen that there were two lumps of dough ready to be carried away by the` belt 5, the rst lump that is engaging belt 5 will hold the second lump inside the baller dislnozzle until the next cup carried it away.

In this way it is possible to properly space the lumps of dough enteringthe proofer. The cross bar 511 is attached tothe chain 59 and to belt 5 to assure a constant relation between the belt and the chain, therefore the relation of the cups 512 and the pockets in the drum 521 into which the dough is discharged will remain constant because the belt 5 is driven from shaft 52", by the chain 524. Vhen the cups carrying the dough reach a position above the drum 521 the dough falls from cups 512 into one of the pockets in the drum. As the drum revolves the dough is discharged from the drum into the carriers 54. The movement of the cups 512 and the drum 521 and the carriers 54 bear such a relation that individual balls or. lumps of dough will b e deposited in each carrier as it passes below the drum. The plate 52S, mounted adjacent the drum, prevents the premature discharge of the dough from the pockets of the drum and assures the deposit of doughfin the center of the carriers. At the time that the dough is discharged from the drum the carrier receiving the dough from the drum is supported by the support rod 551, and immediately thereafter the carrier is moved up the rod 541. When the carriers reach determined y places above the chutes 545, the bar 541 is moved downward by means of the cam 555 and the mechanisms controlled thereby, whereupon the dough is discharged from the carriers into the chutes 545, and from the chutes into the compartments c of the trays C. As soon as the carriers have discharged, the rod 541 is raised and the empty carriers move around the disks 55s and 559 and bar 542 while the loaded carriers move onto the rod 541. All these mechanisms are so controlled relatively so as to assure proper c0- operation. The trays are supported by the tray guide L55 at the time the dough is deposited therein. The trays are then moved along the supports 0,30 during which time the dough is undergoing the provingl process. The heat developed by the fermentation within the dough provides a sufficiently Ahigh temperature within the casing as to make further heating thereof unnecessary. This is possible primarily because of the c'ompactness of the device. The compactness of the device is made possible by mounting the sprocket Wheels 1,27 upon the stud shaft a2 and thereby eliminating the shafts that would otherwise extend'across the casing. As the tray is moved toward the highest level of the chains a1", they approach the bar a42 which projects outward over the lugs c3, c4 and 01 on the trays C and assures the ments i2-as previously explained. Immediately after the discharge of the dough into the compartments d5, the dough is discharged from the compartments d4 upon' the belt Z4 by the registration of the roller d10 with notch d and the consequent dropping of the holder. The plate 15 prevents premature discharge of the dough from the holder should any of the dough in the tray compartments discharge more quickly than other balls of dough in other tray compartments. The tray then moves to a position below the flour box a31 which is then actuated by means of the cam @32 and the rod L55 whereupon a film of flour is spread over the interior of the tray. The tray then moves downward toward the guide as? to receive more dough. charged upon the belt d4 it is carried out of After the dough has been dis.-

the prooiingfchamber by means ofthe belt d4 and is deposited upon the belt d2?. The

-belt Z4 is actuated at such rate of speed that the last of the balls of dough have just passed from below the holder when 4the holder again discharges. The spacer belt if is moved fast in comparison with the discharge belt (Z4, therefore the balls of dough falling individually from the belt d4 upon the belt d are separated from one another the device have been adjusted to their proper cooperative working relation they will retain such yproper cooperating relation at all times. The shaft a may have power transmitted to it from any suitable source, and the speed'of shaft a5 may be so regulated or modified as to give the desired period of proving to the dough.

What I claim is:

llO

n 1. In an automatic proofer the combination of a casing having a proong chamber within it., endless chains mounted movably upon opposite sides of the casing, trays mounted on the chains, a loading device comprising cups adapted to carry lumps of dough, a drum having a pocket adapted to' register with the cups, an endless' chain mounted vwithin the casing transversely thereof, a series of carriers having their one when a carrier registers with each chute, the

chains mounted on the sides of the casing being adapted to carry the trays into-registration with 'the bottoms of the chutes simultaneously with the lowering of the bar.

2. In an automatic proofer the combination of a casing, stud shafts mounted on the sides of the casing, sprocket wheels mounted upon the stud shafts, tray guides mounted on the casing in vertical alignment with certain of the sprocket wheels, endless chains mounted on opposite sides of the casing and extending about the sprocket wheels and eX- tendiiig thru the tray guides, a series of` trays mounted upon the chains and extending transversely thru the casing, lugs on the trays adapted to engage the tray guide, a series of fixed chutes adapted to .discharge into the trays while the lugs on the trays engage the tiay guide, a series of' carriers adapted to be movedto positions above the chutes, means to discharge the carriers into the chutes and means to deposit lumps of dough in the carriers.

In al proofer the combination with trays, of a tray loading device comprising a belt extending from tlie proofer, a revoluble drum mounted upon the proofer and disposed below tlie inner end of the belt,v

pockets in the drum, carriers adapted to be moved below the drum and into which thev lthe drumV pockets are adapted to'disc'liarge, `and means to discharge the carriers into a tray. f f

5. In a proofer a dough spacing device comprising a discharge nozzle, an inclined belt having an upper face moving upwardly and receiving lumps of dough from the nozzle7 means to mount the'belt on tlieproofer, and a series of cups mounted ou tliebelt, the discharge nozzle, the belt and the cups be# ing adapted to space vthe lumps of dough fed intothe proofer, and means to act-nate the belt in cooperative unison with the proofer actuating mechanisms. 6. In an automatic proofer a dough spac- 75 ing. device comprising a discharge nozzle, a support mounted upon the proofer at an angle thereto, rollers mounted upon the sup port at the opposite ends thereof, sprocket wheels mounted vadjacent the rollers and adapted to revolve therewith, endless chains mounted on the sprocket wheels, an upwardly moving belt mounted on the rollers passing below the discharge nozzle, across bar mounted on the chains and affixed to the belt, cups mounted on the chains adapted to contact the belt whereby the belt and cups form pockets for receiving Vlumps of dough from the discharge nozzle, the cups, the nozzle, and the inclination of the belt bearing'U a relation such as to preclude more than one lump of dough being receivedfrom they noz zle at one time, and means to actuate the sprocket wheels in cooperative unison with the proofer actuating mechanisms. 7 A tray loading deviceV `comprising a belt adapted to carry lumps of dough, a revoluble drum having a pocket adapted to register'with the'end. of the belt, a series of carriers adaptedto register with the pocket in the drum, means toactuate the drum so that the pocket therein registers alternately with the belt and a carrier, and ,means to simultaneously discharge a series of carriers into one tray. y w

8. A trayfloading device for trays having a series of compartmentsl comprising a dis-v charge nozzle, an inclined belt adapted to receive lumps of dough from the nozzle,

cups mounted on the belt adapted to support L lumps of dough, the nozzle, the cups, and

ybelt .bearing relation such as to preclude more than one lump of dough being received from the nozzle at one time, carriers, means to transfer the lumps of dough fronrthe cups to the carriers, and means to simultaneously discharge a series of carriers into individualxtray compartments.

9. In a proofer a tray loading device comprising the combination of, parallel hori'- 120 zontal shafts mounted on the j proofer, sprocket wheels mounted on the parallel shafts, an endless chain extending about the sprocket wheels, a seriesof carriers-hinged- 1y mounted at their rear upon the'endless 125 chain, a'reciproca-ting 'bar supporting the -forward en'd of a series of trays and' normally supporting 'thel trays in a horizontal plane, means to maintain the forward' and rear ends of the trays in a constant relation number of carriers have been subjected to.

the means for depositing dough in the carriers. jy

10. In a, proofer a tray loading device comprising a series of carriers, means to deposit dough into the Carriers, means to move the carriers past the dough depositing means, hinges connecting one end of the car-v riers to the carrier moving means, a reciprocating bar supporting the other end of the carriers after leaving the dough depositingr means, a bracket pivotally mounted on the proofer and supporting the bar, a lever arm mounted pivotally on the proofer, a link pivotally connecting the bracket and the lever arm, a revoluble `cam, and, a roller arm connected with the lever arm, and engaging the cam.

11.,In a proofer a tray loading device comprising a. series of carriers, means vto deposit dough in the carriers, means to move the carriers 'past the dough depositing means, hinges connecting one end of the carriers to the carrier moving means, parallel transverse shafts mounted on the proofer, brackets mounted upon one o f the transverse shafts, a bar mounted on the brackets and supporting the other end lof the carriers, a revoluble 7 cam mounted on the prooferV adjacent the second transverse shaft, a roller arm mounted on the second transverse shaft and engaging'the cam, a lever arm mounted onthe second transverse shaft, and a link pivotally connecting the bracket and the lever arm. l

12. In a proofer a tray loading device comprising a series of carriers,"means to deposit dough in the carriers, means to move the carriers past the dough depositing means, hinges connecting one end of the carriers to the carrier moving means, parallel transverse-shafts mounted on the proofer, brackets mounted upon one of the transverse shafts,`a bar mounted on the brackets and supporting the other end of the carriers, a' revoluble notched cam mounted on the ,the forward end of the chamber passing in a vertical line from one sprocket Wheel to the nextwheel in sequence, trays supported between the chains, and a tray loading device and a tray discharging device disposed between the horizontally and vertically extending portions of the chain.

14. In a proofer the combination of a casing having a prooling chamber Within it,

endless chains mounted movably upon the sides of the proofing chamber, means to move the chains, trays supported between the chains, the chains moving horizontally at the rear of the chamber, and vertically at the front of the chamber whereby a space untraversed by the chains is provided' near the forward end of thechamber intermediate the horizontal and vertical moving chain sections, and a tray loading device and a tray discharging device disposed in the untraversed space.

15. In awproofer the combination of a casing, trays mounted Within the'casing transversely thereof, means to imp-art continuous movement to the trays` a transversely moving belt, uniform tiltable carriers each pivotally mounted on the belt, unitary means for simultaneously tilting a series of carriers intermittingly so as to discharge the series of carriers into a tray, and means for feeding dough into the carriers.

16. A proofer a tray loading device comprising parallel shafts, sprocket Wheels mounted on the shafts, a disk adjacent one shaft, an endless chain mounted on the sprocket Wheels, carriers` mounted pivot-ally upon the chain, oscillating means normally supporting the one end of the carriers in the same plane with the opposite end thereof, the disk being adapted to cooperate With the oscillating means to return the carriers totheir normal positions.

17. A proofcr tray loading device comprising parallel shafts, sprocket Wheels adjacent the shafts, disks mounted on the shafts, an .endless chain mounted on the sprocket Wheels, carriers mounted pivotally ,upon the endless chain and adapted to pass around the disks, a support rod adapted to support the carriers in normally upright position, an oscillatingbar adapted normally to sup-port the carriers in their normally upright positions, a fixed'bar adapted to maintain the carriers in engagement with the disks when moving from and toward their normally upright pos-itions and to support the carriers whenV in an inverted position.

Y18. In a tray loading device the combination of a casing, transverse trays in the cas'- ing, means to impart continuous movement to the trays, a transversely moving belt. carriers each having an end hingedly mounted on the belt and tiltableat an angle substantially perpendicular to the line of movement of the belt, means for intermittingly tilting a series of carriers at one time, the tilted carriers dischargin into the trays, and means for feeding doug to the carriers.

19. In a tray loading device the combination of an endless moving belt, carriers mounted hingedly on the belt for tilting transversely of the line of movement of the belt, means for depositing articles upon the carriers, and unitary means for tilting the carriers for discharging articles from the carriers.

20. In a device of the class described the combination of an endless chain extending in part in a horizontal plane, la support for the horizontally extending portion of the zhain, trays hingedly supported by the chain, a bracket mounted for oscillation and for supporting the trays, and means for oscillating the bracket. y

21. In a tray loading device the combination of a. horizontal moving belt, carriers mounted for hinged movement on the belt about axes extending in the line of movement of the belt, means for depositing articles on the carriers, means for moving the carriers about their axes for discharging the carriers, chutes having their upper ends disposed adjacent the carriers and into Whlch upper ends the carriers discharge, trays, and means for presenting trays to the holding the carriers against movement on their hinged mountings, means for depositing articles in the carriers, and means for moving the bar for moving the carriers about their hinged mountings on the belt.

23. In a tray loading device the combination of a moving belt, carriers hingedly mounted on the belt, means for depositing articles in the carriers, a plurality of chutes disposed adjacent the belt, an oscillating bar for supporting a series of the carriers and over which bar the carriers are moved by the belt, means for actuating the bar for moving the carriers about their hinged vmountings on the belt for discharging the carriers, one each of a series into one each of the chutes, and means for presenting a tray to the chutes :tor receiving the articles from the chutes.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 13th day of January, 192,1.

SIGrMUND SCHIFF. 

